The most naturally fertile regions on Earth exist where these characteristics (mineralogical-biological interactions) are found in association with extremely reactive alkalic rocks The essential primary minerals contained in these rocks are the first to be utilized in biological systems. These extremely fragile minerals do not survive geological transformations (physical, chemical or biological) and break down easily to supply the ecosystem with nutrients.

Carbonatites are relatively rare. They are igneous in origin and thus primary in nature. Carbonatites are only found at the weakened margins of colliding or separating continental plates. The magma originates from extreme depth. The Spanish River Carbonatite is located in the Precambrian Shield along an ancient rift valley. Many geologists believe the major faulting, which allowed access to deep-seated magma formed the Spanish River Carbonatite Complex and the Sudbury nickel basin were the result of a meteor impact.

The Spanish River pipe deposit was formed under extreme heat and pressure that also produces related alkaline, diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes. It is under these extreme geological conditions that the unique Spanish River pure nascent calcite was formed, along with zones rich in biotite, apatite and magnetite.

Due to the soft, reactive nature of the Spanish River calcite, glaciation first dissolved and scoured a deep bowl over the entire pipe. Then, up to 150 feet of glacial till was deposited into the center of the bowl, leaving the margins exposed at the surface. There was little carbonatite mixing with the glacial sands.

Three other important physical phenomena were observed during this 1996 program carried out by the original owner of the deposit, Agricultural Mineral Prospectors Inc. The calcium deposit is comprised of or associated with soft dense calcite. This soft material can be hand-dug but still had all the structural detail found in the bedrock. A dense residual layer overlies the complex bedrock. In addition a layer, 3 to 10 feet thick of 95% pure vermiculite was discovered overlying biotite rich calcite. Lastly, where the water table was encountered, the water was highly carbonated, with strong effervescence indicated a high carbonate content and exceptional purity to the water. Boreal will consider commercialization of this water source sometime in the future.

Of importance to the reactive nature of the rock it was discovered that exposed bedrock decomposes at an incredibly fast rate measured in years, not decades. Calcite, therefore, was dissolving and entering the ground water forming the biotite-rich residual and stratified beds. The final phase of this weathering process led to alteration of biotite to vermiculite. Further trenching is required to outline the tonnage potential of the vermiculte lenses.

Biotite is a potassium mica which is an excellent source of potash. When biotite weathers it releases its potassium and replaces it with water. These water molecules that lie in the structure of vermiculite, when heated transform into steam causing the vermiculite to exfoliate. Exfoliated vermiculite is used in agriculture and horticulture as a soil amendment and fertilizer carrier.

Spanish River Carbonatite Forest

The most dramatic empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the SRC minerals as a fertilizer is the outstanding forest growth within and in the immediate area of the carbonatite. Spanish River is the location of one of the last stands of old growth white pine forests. The influence of this magmatic intrusionon the health and growth of the majestic forests is certain.

The explanation for the exceptional tree growth is explained by the complex symbiotic relationship that exists between the rocks and the natural environment. The extreme reactive nature of the carbonatite has saturated the water table with calcium, phosphorous and potassium, which in turn ensures that abundant nutrients are supplied to vegetation and and maintenance of pH levels in the soils.